SURVEY: EXECUTIVES EXPECT MODERATE ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT
The fourth-quarter survey value for the Horizon Council FGCU Lee County Executive Business Climate Index is 66-up from 62 in the third quarter-which indicates expected continued moderate improvement in the local economy. The index value can range from 0 to 100, with a score of 50 indicating an expectation of no change. Key findings of the accompanying Executive Climate Survey include: 57 percent of executives said economic conditions for their specific industries have improved over last year; 73 percent expect economic conditions to improve over the next year; 40 percent increased employment over the last year and 54 percent expect to increase employment during the next year; and the top three conditions limiting business expansion are limited demand/slow economy, regulatory uncertainty and lack of qualified employees.